MCC NEET UG 2026 Stray Round: Extended Dates & Schedule

The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has extended the schedule for the Stray Round of NEET UG 2026 counselling. This is the final opportunity for eligible candidates to secure a seat in an MBBS or BDS college across India if they were not allotted a seat in earlier rounds. The extension gives candidates extra time to register, pay the counselling fee, and fill their college choices. If you have not yet participated in counselling, this is your last chance — the new deadlines are all on 16 October 2026, with results declared on 19 October.

What is the Stray Round?

The Stray Round is the final counselling round in the NEET UG 2026 admission process. It is open to all eligible candidates who have not been allotted a seat in the earlier counselling rounds (Round 1, Round 2, and any mop-up rounds). This round allows candidates to apply for any remaining vacant seats across all participating MBBS and BDS colleges in India under the All India Quota.

The Stray Round is your last opportunity to secure admission. After this round closes, the counselling process ends, and any remaining seats may be filled through other mechanisms or left vacant. If you have a valid NEET UG 2026 score and have not yet been allotted a seat, you must participate in this round.

Who Can Apply for the Stray Round?

You are eligible for the Stray Round if you meet all of the following conditions:

You have a valid NEET UG 2026 score. You have not been allotted a seat in any of the earlier counselling rounds (Round 1, Round 2, or mop-up rounds). You have registered with MCC and have a valid login. You meet the eligibility criteria for MBBS or BDS admission (Indian national, age, educational qualification, and domicile rules as per the state/college you are applying to).

If you were allotted a seat in an earlier round but did not report or forfeited it, you are still eligible to participate in the Stray Round. However, if you have already reported and joined a college, you cannot participate in the Stray Round.

• Valid NEET UG 2026 score
• Not allotted a seat in earlier rounds
• Registered with MCC
• Meet MBBS/BDS eligibility criteria

Important Dates: What You Must Do and When

All deadlines for the Stray Round fall on **16 October 2026**. The notice specifies that all times are in server time — this is the official time used by the MCC portal. You must complete each step by the exact time shown, as the portal will automatically close and no late submissions will be accepted.

After 16 October, the portal moves to seat processing (17–18 October), and results are declared on 19 October. Reporting (joining the college) runs from 19 to 26 October. If you miss the 16 October deadlines, you will not be able to participate in this round.

Step-by-Step: How to Register and Participate

**Step 1: Register (by 4:00 PM on 16 October).** Log in to the MCC counselling portal using your NEET roll number and password. If you have not registered before, you will need to create an account. Fill in your personal and academic details as prompted. Once you submit your registration, you will receive a confirmation. Keep this confirmation safe — you will need it for the next steps.

**Step 2: Pay the Counselling Fee (by 6:00 PM on 16 October).** After registration, you must pay the counselling fee. The notice does not specify the fee amount — check the MCC portal or contact MCC directly for the exact fee. Payment is typically made online via credit card, debit card, or net banking. You will receive a payment receipt — save this as proof.

**Step 3: Fill Your College Choices (by 11:55 PM on 16 October).** Once payment is confirmed, you can log back into the portal and fill your choice of colleges and courses. You can list as many colleges as you wish in order of preference. The portal will show you which seats are vacant in each college. Choose carefully — your allotment will be based on your rank, your choices, and seat availability.

**Step 4: Lock Your Choices (between 7:00 PM and 11:55 PM on 16 October).** After filling your choices, you must lock them. This confirms your final list to the system. You can unlock and re-fill your choices at any time until 11:55 PM, but once you lock them, they are final. Make sure your choices are correct before locking.

• Register on the MCC portal by 4:00 PM
• Pay the counselling fee by 6:00 PM
• Fill your college choices by 11:55 PM
• Lock your choices between 7:00 PM and 11:55 PM

The RESET Registration Option: What It Means

The notice mentions a 'RESET Registration option' available until 3:00 PM on 16 October. This allows you to clear your registration and start over if you made a mistake or want to change your details. If you use this option, your previous registration is deleted, and you must register again from scratch.

**Important:** If you reset your registration, you will lose any payment you have already made. You will need to re-register and re-pay before the 6:00 PM payment deadline. Use the reset option only if absolutely necessary, and do so early enough to complete all steps again by the final deadlines. Most candidates should not need this option.

• Available until 3:00 PM on 16 October only
• Deletes your current registration completely
• You must re-register and re-pay if you use it
• Use only if you made a critical error

After 16 October: Seat Processing, Results, and Reporting

Once all candidates have locked their choices by 11:55 PM on 16 October, the MCC system processes all applications and allocates seats. This processing happens on 17–18 October and is done by computer algorithm based on your rank, your choices, and seat availability. You cannot do anything during this period — just wait.

**Results are declared on 19 October 2026.** Log into the MCC portal on this date to check if you have been allotted a seat. The portal will show you the college, course (MBBS or BDS), and seat category you have been allotted. If you are allotted a seat, you must report to the college between 19 and 26 October to confirm your admission and complete the joining process.

**Reporting (19–26 October).** If you are allotted a seat, you must visit the college in person or follow the college's online reporting procedure (as specified by the college) within this window. Bring all required documents (see the section below). If you do not report by 26 October, your seat will be cancelled and offered to the next candidate on the waiting list.

• Seat processing: 17–18 October (automatic, no action needed)
• Results declared: 19 October (check the portal)
• Reporting window: 19–26 October (must report to secure your seat)

Documents You Will Need

The notice does not list the specific documents required for reporting. However, based on standard NEET UG counselling practice, you will typically need to bring the following to the college when you report:

Original and photocopies of your NEET admit card, NEET score card, 10th and 12th mark sheets and certificates, Aadhar card or passport (proof of identity), proof of domicile (if applicable), caste certificate (if applying under SC/ST/OBC category), income certificate (if applying under EWS category), and any other documents specified by the college in its prospectus.

**Important:** Contact the college you are allotted to immediately after results are declared to confirm the exact list of documents required and the reporting procedure (in-person or online). Do not wait until the last day — colleges may have specific requirements or may close their reporting window early if all seats are filled.

• NEET admit card and score card (original and copy)
• 10th and 12th certificates and mark sheets
• Proof of identity (Aadhar, passport, or PAN)
• Proof of domicile (if required by state/college)
• Caste certificate (if applicable)
• Income certificate (if applying under EWS)
• Any other documents specified by the college

Common Mistakes That Get Your Application Rejected

**Missing the deadline.** The portal closes automatically at the exact time specified. If you submit even one second late, your application will not be accepted. Plan to complete all steps well before the deadline — do not wait until the last hour.

**Not paying the fee.** Registration alone is not enough. You must pay the counselling fee by 6:00 PM on 16 October. If you do not pay, your registration will be cancelled and you will not be able to fill choices. Keep your payment receipt as proof.

**Forgetting to lock your choices.** If you fill your choices but do not lock them by 11:55 PM, they will not be submitted. The system will not automatically lock them for you. Always lock your choices explicitly.

**Not reporting by 26 October.** If you are allotted a seat but do not report to the college by 26 October, your seat will be cancelled. There are no extensions. Mark the reporting dates on your calendar and plan to report early.

**Providing wrong or incomplete information during registration.** Double-check all details (name, date of birth, NEET roll number, category, domicile) before submitting. Errors can lead to rejection or allotment to the wrong category.

• Submit all steps before the exact deadline — no late submissions accepted
• Pay the counselling fee; registration alone is not enough
• Lock your choices explicitly; they will not lock automatically
• Report to the college by 26 October or lose your seat
• Verify all personal details before submitting

What If You Don't Get a Seat in the Stray Round?

If you are not allotted a seat in the Stray Round, your counselling process ends. The notice does not mention any further rounds or options after this. You will not be able to participate in any more MCC counselling rounds for NEET UG 2026.

If you do not get a seat, you may explore other options: apply to private medical colleges (which may have their own admission processes), consider NEET UG 2027 if you wish to try again next year, or explore other health professions (nursing, paramedical courses, etc.). Speak to your counsellor or parents about the best path forward.

• Stray Round is the final MCC counselling round
• No further rounds after this
• Consider private colleges or next year's NEET if not allotted

Contact and Support

If you have questions or face technical issues with the MCC portal, contact the Medical Counselling Committee directly:

**Email:** adgme@nic.in

**Office:** Medical Counselling Committee, Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, NML, New Delhi – 110029

The notice was posted on 14 October 2026. For the most up-to-date information, visit the official MCC website or the counselling portal.

• Email: adgme@nic.in
• Office: MCC, DGHS, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, New Delhi

Frequently asked questions

If you have not yet registered for the Stray Round, act immediately. You have until 4:00 PM on 16 October 2026 to register, pay the fee, fill your choices, and lock them. This is your final opportunity to secure an MBBS or BDS seat through MCC counselling. Mark all deadlines on your calendar, complete each step well before the cutoff time, and be ready to report to your allotted college by 26 October if you receive a seat. For any issues, email adgme@nic.in.